Haitian American politicians across the United States, eager to exert some influence over the immigration laws of the United States, have forged an alliance in hopes of shaping legislation and policy toward Haiti.

The pressures for a stronger voice on national issues regarding immigration is presented as the Americans in Haiti - mostly Democrats, who have welcomed the election of Barack Obama - have become increasingly frustrated that the administration n No has moved more quickly to give undocumented Haitians an opportunity to remain temporarily in the United States and work.

The American National Red elect of Haiti, composed of 22 representatives elected from Florida to New Hampshire, met for the first time last month in Washington to discuss immigration and U.S. policy and assistance to Haiti. Despite its young condition and size of group of state legislators, mayors and council members of the city has attracted a handful of power players - including officials of aid agencies in U.S. states Obama and Haitian-born political director Patrick Gaspard - his two-day conference.

`` Stay persistent,''urged Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Miramar, one of several members of Congress who addressed the group. `` Remember, it is the squeal of wheels get the grease.''

Observers and politicians involved in efforts to launch the network offers its formation may mark a new chapter of an often fractious community has not exerted significant political influence, especially at the national level.

`` This is the budding stage,''said Mr. Hastings. `` It was never going to be the most powerful delegation, but Haiti needs all the votes you can find.''

The group took off last spring in the talks between state Rep. Marie St. Fleur - a Massachusetts Democrat who in 1999 became the first Haitian American elected to statewide - and North Miami City Clerk Alice Desulme. The two chatted at a reception in the Caribbean from the White House last spring and Desulme said the idea for the group formed after `` hear the same kind of discourse on policy administration officials immigration''de.

`` We thought we had to become more involved,''said Desulme. `` The idea was that we all come together in the election would be stronger than we could individually.''

St. Fleur said she had spoken of bringing together elected officials for several years, but began working in earnest after the conversation with Desulme.

`` Decisions are made without our contribution, and it is time to end,''he said. `` Together, we bring valuable experience and background that can help shape policy in Haiti.''

Saint-Fleur said the group will not be operational before lawmakers and the White House to take efforts to modernize the nation's immigration laws. Homeland Security Secretary, Janet Napolitano, said this month that the government supports a path to legalization for the estimated 12 million illegal immigrants, and expects Congress to take up a review of immigration in 2010.

`` We want to be on the table and be, you need to start,''said Lefleur. During the first meeting October 29-30, the hammer group of policy recommendations intended to share with the administration and Congress.

Among them: immigration reform that includes a path to legalization for undocumented Haitians in the United States temporary protected status to 30,000 Haitians are now facing deportation, including U.S. officials elected in Haiti's development financing and priorities for U.S. policy for Haiti and a better accountability of projects funded by the U.S. in Haiti.

Networking is a step toward greater political influence than other ethnic groups have long embraced, "said Rosalind Gold, senior director of research and policy advocacy for the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials, a group founded in 1976.

`` It is absolutely essential for any community that wants access to the full participation and full representation that has an opportunity for elected leaders to form a strong support network de''Gold said. `` Going national is also a way of recognizing the demographic changes occurring. Getting people to achieve: "We're not just in Miami.''

The points of the new group has more than 2 million Haitians and Haitian Americans living in the U.S. 2008 A census conducted by the Redevelopment Authority of Boston estimates that Haitians in the city has paid $ 60 million in state and federal taxes.

Joseph Baptiste, the founder of the National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians, said it was encouraging politicians to create such a network for years. He said that elected officials can often insist on access to more successful advocacy groups.

`` They have the power as elected representatives to advance the program more quickly than any other group,''Baptiste said, noting that the network has been landing Speakers Speakers Board at its first meeting. `` When the network called the White House. There is respect for all we know what decisions are, but we're not sitting at the table before making a decision.''

St. Fleur said she was surprised by the number of elected officials with ties to Haiti. And not all of them represent areas with the Haitian people. State Rep. Jean Jeudy, a Democrat, was elected to the House the State of New Hampshire in 2005, with a predominantly white neighborhood in Manchester.

`` We do not want to tell people what to do about Haiti, but we want to help in decision making,''said Jeudy. `` We have much to offer.''

In the Haitian community in South Florida have the opportunity in November 2010 to elect the first Haitian-American in Congress. With Kendrick Meek vacated his congressional seat to run for U.S. Senate, four Americans in Haiti - and at least six candidates - now competing for the seat.

Some observers fear that the vote could be split in the community.

`` I have proposed several candidates to talk to each other internally and determine what makes the most sense, but everyone is entitled to run,''said Rep. Ronald Brise, a Democrat, born in Haiti, North Miami. `` We'll see what happens.''

At 10 elected Haitian-American, Florida has the largest representation in the new organization, including Desulme, Breeze and North Miami Mayor Andre Pierre, who said he wanted the group receives a weight.

`` The community is hungry for leadership,''said Pierre. `` It's important for us to be heard.''

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